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Coating and lithography steps in thin‐film processing require planar and smooth surfaces. Usually ceramic substrates with as‐fired surface roughness of R_a < 0.1µm or with polished surfaces for advanced requirements are used. In general, a thick‐film hybrid has an inappropriate surface for further successful thin‐film processing. In this work, the influence of surface roughness and topography on the properties of thin‐film conductors and the fabrication of vias is investigated. Surface smoothing and local planarisation can be achieved by the use of a thick‐film overglaze or by coating the surface with polyimide prior to thin‐film processing. The improvements in conductor and via yield are measured by adequate test structures with a conductor width of 25µm. Based on the results, a process is given to provide a thick‐film multilayer with a sufficient smooth and planar surface suitable for thin‐film processes.

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review and analysis of existing research articles on new product development (NPD) published in the 12-year period starting from 1998 to 2009.

To explore the articles related to NPD, four key words namely new product, product design, product development and product innovation were used in combination of title or abstract or keyword of the articles through several knowledge databases. The abstracts of journal papers were read and a decision as to whether article belongs to any NPD research issue or not was made. In total, 1,127 research articles were categorized systematically and then analyzed on various principal NPD information groups.

Analysis of selected articles led to a certain level of dispersion in the publication of NPD research in different journals. It is found that more attention needs to be on knowledge and creativity management, communication and information transfer in any NPD process.

By observing extended literature from authors reviewing articles from various journals, growth in research, and variety of topics covered in NPD, a broad systematic multi journal review of NPD literature is clearly overdue. The authors have developed a comprehensive listing of publications on NPD where they have classified the surveyed papers according to various principal NPD information groups like: published year, NPD research stream, type of organization studied (industrial/consumer/service), level of innovation (high/moderate/low), NPD focus on frameworks, performance perspective (success, failure or both), NPD research design (conceptual/empirical and qualitative/quantitative) and NPD relevant best practice element. Based on the classification scheme, the issues were analyzed from the system's perspective and their implications to NPD research.